Velomobile definition revisited
In the past few weeks, the velomobile group
on Facebook has been discussing what constitutes a velomobile. The group page describes a velomobile as:
A Velomobile is a human powered vehicle for daily use with a shell for comfort, weather protection and luggage space.
Wikipedia
defines the velomobile like this:
A velomobile, or bicycle car, is a human-powered vehicle (HPV) enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and protection from weather and collisions. Nearly all velomobiles are single-passenger vehicles. They are derived from recumbent bicycles and tricycles, with the addition of a full fairing (aerodynamic shell). Most Velomobiles have three or four wheels. Fully faired two wheel road going machines are included within the more general category "human powered vehicle" (HPV).
A number of aggressive posters seem to
think that any 3 wheel vehicle with a shell pedals seems to fit the bill even
if it requires a motor. Some are designed that way from the beginning
and some regular velomobiles are converted. So the question is: when does a
velomobile stop being a velomobile? Does
an ELF with a 750W electric motor meet this requirement?
In the eyes of lawmakers, a velomobile
is considered a bike and there are restrictions in many jurisdictions to be
considered a bike, these restrictions include the size of the motor usually
under 350W, the maximum speed under motor power, the size of the vehicle, the
weight of the vehicle.
Including micro cars with pedal assist
a velomobile is analogeous to calling a moped or e-scooters with mini pedals
are a bike. Mopeds are used by a
different group of people, not cyclists and they have caused issues and as a
result moped require plates and drivers license in many jurisdictions and there
are moves to restrict e-bikes too. I’ve
never heard of a moped rider who converted to a regular bike unless it was by
necessity.
In my opinion, a velomobile needs to be
identified as a bike otherwise we may be subject to undue scrutiny and
regulations. This is very important
because if these micro-cars with pedal assist are identified as velomobiles, riders
of human powered velomobiles will be subject of more scrutiny to see if we have
motors and we may find ourselves cut-off from MUP and bridges that are built
for active modes of transportation.
As such, here are my criteria:
·
First, a velomobile
is a human powered so an average rider should be able to operate a velomobile
in human powered mode for significant distances aver varied terrain.
·
Second, the assist
should not be more powerful than an average human and there are very few
average riders who can sustain 250W of power.
If it is larger, it means that it is not an assist but the primary more
of propulsion.
·
Third, it should have
a shell that provides a significant aerodynamic advantage over trikes and other
pedal powered vehicles;
·
Fourth, they have
three or four wheel whereby they do not need to be balanced when riding or at a
standstill.
On the other side of the argument,
proponents say that having more velomobiles on the road makes velomobiles
better known and more popular. They also
claim that powered velomobiles may be a way to get people into human powered
velomobiles.
Personally, I think they want their
micro cars to be seen as a bike like a velomobile because it removes
scrutiny. Just like a moped, I doubt
that people buying an ELF would ever consider switching to a regular velomobile
and considering those as velomobiles will create more issues for human powered
velomobiles than it solves. When I ride
my velomobile, I get asked if I have a motor and when I tell them no they say: no way, you’re kidding! If they knew an ELF was considered a
velomobile, I would have more problems getting them to believe me.
Human powered velomobile users, please
make your views known. Until I radically
change opinion, I will be reporting on human powered velomobiles in this blog.
LCVMG
The Left Coast Velomobile Gathering, one of
the largest velomobile gathering in North-America recently took place in
Oregon. Approximately 10 velomobile took
part in the event that lasted several days with rides of the Willemette Valley
and HPV competitions. By European
standards this is a very small gathering but with the very large distances it
is quite a large event. Participants had to drive several hundreds if not
thousand miles go get there. The winner
of the HPV race was a home made Coroplast velomobile on an ICE trike other
participants rode a DF, a Milan SL, a Milan GT and several Quest and even a
Varna streamliner.
Australian Pedal Prix
A very exciting video report was produced
from the 6hr Loxton race part of the Australian Pedal Prix series. The video is posted on You Tube https://youtu.be/km_TzTJmINg It appears that other races in the series may
also receive video coverage.
Intercitybike
Daniel Fenn is currently working on a smaller
and lighter DF for a small female rider. This DF is narrower, lower and
shorter and lighter than the regular DF.
The smaller velomobile may be used by a female rider to participate in
long distance record attempt. Maybe this
will become a product available to other riders, that would be for very small
riders. . The name of the new model has not yet been
set. There are a few names being
mentioned like DFN (DF narrow) or DFs (like the small Evo-K). I would prefer DFs since DFN could be misread
as DNF or Did Not Finish, a term used in racing.
There is no mention
yet of the make and model of the new rear shock for the DF. Some people have indicated that they may
switch their DT Swiss for the new shock if improvements are noted.
Velomobiel
Work on the QuatroVelo
is continuing at the Romanian factory, the wheel wells were installed in the
shell along with the seat. The next item
on the work list is the trunk lid.
Velomobiel announced
that the Quattrovelo will only come in a
carbon version. The order form was
changed to reflect this. The Quattrovelo
will only come in a carbon version. Standard
items include 1x10 derailleur drive-system, one colour, full lighting set with turning
signals & and double headlight, rear air/oil suspension. The available options include : The Schlumpf
MountainDrive in front (2,5 ratio), child seat with appropriate luggage hatch.
double colour and metallic paint. Now the question is: Will it be ready for test rides at Velo Vision in a few weeks?
Wim Schermer is testing an aftermarket a
support leg for the boom in his Quest.
The support made of carbon fiber, increases the stiffness of the boom,
which results in less energy wasted due to flex of the boom and/or shell. The support leg is made to fit the
Quest/Strada/Mango. If the test is
successful, maybe the part will be made available through his e-store (Velomobielonderdelen.nl).
Italian Dream Cycle
The new manufacturer Italian Dream Cycle
showed on their Facebook page their second velomobile produced. The photo with caption shows number one and number two on a tour of Tuscany.
Marvelo
We expected that the Marvelo would be
making an official appearance at the LCVMG last week but unfortunately this was
not the case. I know Jon is working hard
to finish the first production model and he probably ran out of time. Let’s hope the new velomobile will make its appearance
very soon.
